Kerala aims to become global destination for Ayurveda

T H I R U V A N A N - THAPURAM: Kerala aims to emerge as the fi rst state to introduce insurance cover for Ayurveda medical treatments as the state government rolls out a robust action plan to boost traditional knowledge in healthcare and become a global destination for Ayurveda. The wide-ranging Ayurveda action plan - to be guided forward by the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) - is part of the 10-point development strategy under the state government’s Vision 2030 initiative which is mentored by Sam Pitroda. As part of the effort to drive the growth of Ayurveda, the working committee for the action plan in its fi rst meeting here endorsed six strategic ideas including a project to implement the world’s cheapest solution for microbe-free drinking water and the creation of a database containing clinical evidence from scientifi cally validated trials of traditional medicines. ‘Kerala’s traditional Ayurvedic system is already well-known worldwide. But we need to make people aware it is much more than just lifestyle therapy by bringing it on a par with modern health standards and raising its scientifi c acceptability,’ Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, KSCSTE Executive Vice President and Ex-offi cio Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said in a statement here today. Insurance coverage and international quality assurance for Ayurvedic drugs and treatment therefore form a key part of the strategy. Quality standards for traditional medicines manufactured in Kerala and promotion of inter-disciplinary research in pharmaceuticals is also among the proposals. Traditional methods like water storage in copper vessels and addition of certain herbs will be explored as a means to rid water of microbes and make it potable. ‘Providing clean drinking water, one of the basic necessities of life, to all citizens, is a challenge for governments everywhere. In Kerala we already have ageold systems for purifying water and our aim is to leverage this knowledge base for developing low-cost solutions,’ Prof. Pillai said. In addition, the action plan envisages development of world-class ‘Integrative Centres of Clinical Excellence’ in the state. These centres will carry out transdisciplinary research in a host of specialty areas ranging from mental health, neuromuscular disorders and paediatrics to Marma treatment and veterinary science. Disseminating information about high-quality treatments available to the public is also an essential part of the strategy. One of the proposals is to create web portal carrying information about Ayurvedic medicines, healthy lifestyles, home remedies, nutrition and yoga. ‘We hope to make use of mobile phones and other modern communications systems for health education,’ Prof. Pillai added. The working group, which consists of senior state offi cials, eminent scientists, leading Ayurveda practitioners and industry experts, also decided to set up panels to draft the action plan and to develop the implementation strategy. It was also decided to identify young and driven ‘champions’ to lead each of the strategic ideas and a state offi cial to co-ordinate the programme.